Visit in Costa Rica

You cannot know a place well until you take a peek into its culture. And what is the best way to do that? See the country through its festivals. Soak in the festivities, be a part of the fun, celebrate with the locals. If you have always found Costa Rica’s Pura Vida culture fascinating, participate in its festivals to know it more vividly. Here are the Costa Rica’s top three festivals that will make you love the country even more:

Fiestas Zapote

In a country where traditional farming is still very much prevalent, bulls are revered because of their crucial contribution to the production process. Fiestas Zapote, a January festival, celebrates the majestic ways of this magnificent animal. It’s a show of power with the fiercest of bulls competing in one of the world’s biggest rodeos.

Fiestas Palmares

Don’t we all secretly wish that festivities must be allowed to go on and on? Well, Fiestas Palmares is almost your wish coming true as it lasts for two whole weeks. The events include virtually all fun things that one can think of – rodeos, carnival rides, horse parades, and musical shows. Almost everybody seems to be breaking into a beer drinking spree. Enjoy the bash just like a local, and it will be great fun.

Envision Festival

Your account of Costa Rica will never be complete without the mention of this hippie festival. Envision Festival is a four-day extravaganza that brings all apparently paradoxical things together – loud music and sacred rituals, salubrious yoga, and sinful junk foods. Dozens of makeshift booths and open-air stages come up in the campsites, with temporary trust afarians swarming the roads. If you have the time to attend only one festival in this country, it should be the Envision, especially if you actually take pleasure in crazy things like covering your body in glitters or dance away the night.

Make the most of your stay in the land of Pura Vida by taking part in its festivities. Whatever event you want to attend, be sure to book your accommodation in advance, as it becomes difficult to find one without reservation. If you want assistance with this regard, call us at 1-844-MY-HILLS.

When visiting a foreign land, it is the smallest details that can be surprisingly confusing. One such thing is tipping. How much should you tip? On what services? Should you tip at all? If you are a first-timer to Costa Rica, you will find the following helpful.

Tipping in Restaurants

Every time you eat out in Costa Rica, a 10 percent gratuity is automatically added to your bill. This leaves tipping entirely up to you. In other words, tipping is not a necessity in restaurants here, however, if you think you can be a little generous to the waiter that is most welcome.

Tipping in Hotels

Tipping etiquette can change depending on the type of accommodation you are staying in. If you are putting up at a high-end resort, offer a tip of around $1 per bag to the bellhop and around $2 per day to the housekeeper throughout your stay. However, if you are planning to offer a higher tip to the housekeeping staff, we recommend to do so on the very dayof your arrival. That extra bit might guarantee you better service. When at the bar, consider offering a tip of $1 per drink to the bartender.

Tipping for Transportation

Tipping drivers and other people who help you around can be a bit complicated. If you are taking a cab for a short distance, the general norm is to roundup the fare to the nearest dollar. For longer cab rides, a tip between $1 and $5 should be fine.

Tipping Tour Guide

When it comes to tipping tour guides, be it a local guide or a private guide, a tip between $10 and $20 is polite, depending on the number of people in your group.

The figures mentioned are rough estimates. Listen to your heart and do not hesitate to tip a higher amount if you feel the service quality exceeds expectations. Enjoy your stay in Costa Rica. If you decide to make your stays longer and more frequent, consider buying a vacation home. Call us at 1-844-MY-HILLS for details about our luxury villas for sale at Arenal Hills.

One of Central America’s most popular tourist destinations, Costa Rica, lures travelers with its chaotic jungles, pristine beaches, and unlimited scope for adventure. Many women flock to the country each year, either alone or in groups, to discover puravida, but most find that they are ill-equipped for the trip. The tropical climate of the region varies considerably from other countries, and most women do not pack the right things to take along with them. If you require a guide to tell you what items you should have with you in Costa Rica, you’re in luck! Every woman traveling to Costa Rica needs the essentials listed below:

Clothing

Dresses

Fancy dresses are wasted in Costa Rica. Instead, carry a couple of sundresses for dinners and low-key affairs. You can also wear the dress to cover up your swimsuit after a refreshing swim in the ocean.

Yoga Pants

Strenuous outdoor activities like repelling aren’t just difficult; they can be downright embarrassing if you’re wearing athletic shorts. Spare yourself the hassle by switching to a comfy pair of yoga pants. The best part is, they double up as pajama bottoms.

Shorts

Denimis usually a versatile clothing item, but due to the high degree of humidity in Costa Rica, jeans can feel uncomfortable after a while. You should pack a couple of shorts instead that are meant for such outdoor activities as zip-lining and hiking.

Raincoat

Due to unpredictable rains in Costa Rica, it makes sense to pack a raincoat for your trip. You can also avoid getting wet by carrying a cheap, disposable poncho.

Footwear

Water Shoes

Outdoor adventures become a lot more comfortable when you’re wearing water shoes. Such footwear serves multiple purposes. The shoes keep your feet covered during activities like white water rafting and are comfortable enough to wear while hiking through the forest.

Protection

Wide-brim Hat

A hat is indispensable if you wish to shield your face and eyes from the sun and other natural elements in Costa Rica. You can also use a hat to keep your head dry during the rains.

Sunscreen

Make sure you reapply sunscreen frequently while on the beach. Otherwise, you might develop nasty sunburns.

Women tourists will find loads of amazing sights and sounds in Costa Rica. But how well they enjoy these experiences will depend a lot on their preparedness for the trip. It’s important to carry all the items mentioned above so you can easily adjust to the local culture and climate. Do you have any more questions about your trip to Costa Rica or wish to buy a vacation home in this breathtaking country? If yes, get in touch with us at 1-844-MY-HILLS.

Being cooped up in a plane for too long is an uncomfortable experience. Unfortunately, there are times when you have no other choice. For example, if you’re on a flight to Costa Rica to look at some vacation properties or to holiday in the country, it’ll take you more than four hours from the Eastern US, more if you’re from Canada. We know that four hours could look like a l-o-n-g time if you feel uneasy. However, it’s possible to transform your in-flight experience into a more positive one by following the tips given below:

Dress Comfortably at All Times

The temperature inside the airplane cabin tends to dip low. Yes, you can switch off the air-conditioning, but that doesn’t mean others will as well. So, the ambient temperature remains more or less the same. Moreover, you might have to stand in line or sit for hours during check-in, boarding, and security. This means that you’re better off dressing in comfortable clothes than stylish ones. You can carry a hooded jacket so you can pull it while you take a nap. Try bringing a pair of flip flops and shorts in your backpack so you can change into them at the airport and get into the Costa Rica mood.

Stay Fresh

A toiletry kit containing all the bare essentials, like deodorant, hand sanitizer, toothbrush, and lotion is a great idea. You can even bring along a few face wipes to freshen up after the long flight. A dusty, grimy face feels unpleasant.

Carry Your Own Entertainment

Sure, the airlines will have in-flight entertainment, but you might not necessarily like what’s being shown. Your phone and your laptop can be lifesavers in this instance. A few airlines carriers provide in-flight Wi-Fi for a price. If all this is too much, you can always sleep during the flight. Not only does it soothe your nerves, but time passes by quickly.

If you reach Costa Rica all relaxed and refreshed, you’re more likely to enjoy the country even more. Call us at 1-844-MY-HILLS if you are in the mood to check out beautiful single-family style luxury villas for sale.

Recommendations

When Dr. Sara Gonda was studying veterinary medicine at UC Davis in the late 1990s, she studied abroad in Monteverde, Costa Rica for a month. The area, its wildlife and the people made a profound impact on her, both personally and professionally. Now, she and her husband John, also a veterinarian, own a special piece of the region at Arenal Hills.

Dr. John Gonda, DVM

"It has been years since I had studied in Costa Rica for my DVM, but I instantly fell in love with it all over again. I love our new vacation home at Arenal Hills."

Dr. Sara Gonda, DVM, Owner, San Diego, California

"I’m an investor here. When we decide to build, this will be the ideal place for us. It’s a vacation from a vacation."

Edward J. McTigue, Investor, The Villages, FL

"I don’t think you can describe it. You have to see it. You have to live it."

Dave and Suzanne Lemnah, Investor, Leesburg, FL

"The vision of the community is beautiful—spacious, light-filled villas of extraordinary quality. These are homes that people will love to live in."